diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 01769c7..cabd027 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -206,11 +206,18 @@ import (
   log "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus"
   "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus/hooks/airbrake"
   "github.com/Sirupsen/logrus/hooks/syslog"
+  "log/syslog"
 )
 
 func init() {
   log.AddHook(new(logrus_airbrake.AirbrakeHook))
-  log.AddHook(logrus_syslog.NewSyslogHook("udp", "localhost:514", syslog.LOG_INFO, ""))
+
+  hook, err := logrus_syslog.NewSyslogHook("udp", "localhost:514", syslog.LOG_INFO, "")
+  if err != nil {
+    log.Error("Unable to connect to local syslog daemon")
+  } else {
+    log.AddHook(hook)
+  }
 }
 ```